Adopted daughter

When Bella descended the stairs, all the heads turned in her direction. 

She tilted her chin upwards before walking towards them. This place looked like that of a modern palace and these people's aura were impactful but she had nothing to be intimidated of. 

The woman from yesterday whom Bella now recognized as the female lead pushed herself to her feet as she walked towards Bella, "Since she was late yesterday, I did not get a chance to introduce her to everyone," Rose smiled at Bella before holding her hand. 

Bella's eyes roamed across the place, observing the people present in the living room. 

Niklaus was sitting on the luxurious L-shaped couch holding a glass of wine in his hand which he twirled slowly before taking a sip from it. He was wearing a black suit with the sleeves folded which highlighted his toned forearms.

He did not bother to raise his head to look at her but even from the stairs, he had her attention. 

A man like this...who will be able to bring women to their knees just by sitting there and doing nothing. 

As if he noticed her gaze on him, he tilted his head to look at her, his azure blue eyes locked onto her dark ones and Bella found herself momentarily dazed as she looked at his captivating face. 

Without taking his gaze off her, he took another sip from the glass of wine. 

A man so perfect...it was as if the devil had carved him with promises of endless sins. 

Niklaus, on the other hand, tried to avert his gaze, not once but twice. But there was something about Bella today. 

Was it the black dress she wore instead of her usual bright colours that got his attention today? Or was it her long hair tied in a high ponytail that highlighted her beautiful features? Or was it the way she looked at him like he was everything she was determined to stay away from? 

Whatever it was, she made him curious. 

"So, Bella…"

Bella snapped out of her daze when Rose called her name and she realised that she ended up looking at him for so long. She did not know if it was her illusion but she noticed the corner of his lips curling behind the glass. 

Was he mocking her mentally?

Barely 24 hours of knowing him and Bella knew that in the 25 years of her life, no man had gotten onto her nerves this fast. 

She averted her gaze calmly before looking at the other people who were sitting on either side of the long couch, they had their attention on her. There were four people apart from Niklaus. 

Two couples and Bella concluded that one pair was Rose's parents while the other was Niklaus's.

From the character description she read in the comic, Bella Ashton is an orphan and she was taken in by the Female lead's family when she was young. And Rose, being the female lead, has always treated her well even if Rose's parents did it just for the sake of it. 

Yesterday, Bella, the supporting character, came back from abroad and when she called Rose, Rose asked her to come to Kingsley Residence informing her of her engagement. 

By the time Bella came, all she wanted was to see Niklaus, talk to him, and if words did not work then seduce him to get his attention. 

Everything that happened later was another story in which God knows how she ended up playing the supporting character's part.

At this moment, Bella could feel both the couples' gazes fixated on her and they were not very friendly. 

But having skipped the other characters, Bella did not know which couple was Rose's parents and which one was Niklaus' until Rose spoke up, "Mom, Dad," She glanced at the couple sitting on the left. The red-haired woman tilted her head to look at her husband before both of them stood up and approached Bella, "This is our adopted daughter, Bella. You both should know her already."

The woman sitting to Niklaus' left side nodded her head, "If I remember right, she went to the same school as Nick and Rose."

Rose's mother nodded, "Yes, later we sent her abroad for further studies."

Vivienne, Niklaus' mother stood up as she glanced at Bella, "You have grown up into a beautiful lady. Yesterday, it was probably late by the time you came back so we didn't get to meet you."

Bella nodded as she smiled, "That's alright, Mrs. Kingsley," She turned to look at the man seated on the other side of the couch, "Mr. Kingsley," she greeted the man knowing that he should be Niklaus' father. 

The man nodded back expressionlessly.

During all this exchange, Niklaus was the only one sitting quietly in his place, sipping his wine while using his phone with the other hand as if he did not notice the tense atmosphere. 

Of course, Bella was not so naive that she wouldn't notice these people's attitudes towards her. Rose's parents did not seem to be very fond of her while Niklaus' parents, they seem to be neutral towards her. 

First of all, they should be aware of the little bathroom accident. Secondly, she was way too late, breakfast time was over and Niklaus said that his parents are the punctual kind so it makes sense. Lastly, if this character was pining after Niklaus Kingsley for so long then there is no way people would not have an inkling about it. 

Bella wondered why this girl was sent abroad for further studies when they all used to go together to the same school? 

But then, that did not concern her. She had to find a way to go back. The sooner, the better. 

But she had yet to know what place it was. Which part of the world is this?